Can I carry cannabis?
No — cannabis is not decriminalised in Slovakia. An amendment to the Criminal Code softened the penalties but did not abolish them: possession remains a criminal offence, not an administrative one. Anyone who unlawfully possesses a narcotic or psychotropic substance from the cannabis plant for personal use faces imprisonment of up to 1 year. Where the quantity is no more than three times the usual single dose, that same, lighter frame applies; on a repeat offence the maximum rises to 2 years. What is new is that the court may impose protective treatment instead of a custodial sentence — but only if the offender consents. Selling and growing are treated far more severely. Quantity is what decides — cross the "personal use" line and the offence is reclassified, with the ranges multiplying.
📋 The rules
- Cannabis is not decriminalised — possession is a crime
- Possession for personal use: up to 1 year in prison
- The threshold is three times the usual single dose
- On a repeat offence: up to 2 years
- The court may order treatment — with the offender's consent
🔓 Exceptions
- CBD products with THC below the statutory limit are legal
- Medical cannabis has its own, tightly regulated regime
- Selling, growing and distribution are treated far more severely than possession
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Even "a few grams at home" is a criminal offence, not an administrative one — and that distinction is the one people underestimate: this is not a fine but a prosecution and a criminal record, which stays with you and complicates employment, visas and credit. The range for possession for personal use is up to 1 year, and up to 2 on a repeat. The court may substitute protective treatment for prison, but only with your consent — it is not an entitlement. Cross the "personal use" threshold and the offence is reclassified, with the ranges rising sharply — as they do for selling, even a small amount to a friend.
📎 Official sources
- Slov-Lex · Criminal Code (Act 300/2005) →
- Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic →
- National Monitoring Centre for Drugs →
❓ Frequently asked
Is cannabis decriminalised in Slovakia?
No. The amendment to the Criminal Code only softened the penalties — possession remains a criminal offence, not an administrative one. The distinction matters: this is not an on-the-spot fine but a prosecution and a criminal record. Full decriminalisation has not happened.
What is the penalty for personal possession?
Up to one year in prison, and up to two years on a repeat offence. The decisive factor is quantity — up to three times the usual single dose falls within this lighter frame. Above that line the offence is reclassified and the ranges rise sharply.
Can I get treatment instead of prison?
The court may impose protective treatment in place of a custodial sentence, but only if you consent to it. It is not your entitlement but an option for the court, and it cannot be used without your agreement. This is a change brought in by the recent amendment.
What if I sell some to a friend?
Selling is treated far more severely than possession. Even a small amount passed to another person — free of charge, and to someone you know — changes the legal classification of the act and the sentencing ranges rise steeply above simple possession.
Is CBD legal?
CBD products with THC below the statutory limit are legal and widely sold. What always decides is the THC content, not the word "hemp" on the packaging — above the limit it is a narcotic substance, with all the criminal consequences that follow.
🔎 Common searches
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